08/29/2026
Congratulations to Hadasa Oliva, who earned one of 15 fellowships from the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center's John Lewis Young Leaders program. Hadasa was selected from 500 nationwide applicants and was the only one from a community college. Hadasa is a current Law, Public Policy and Society major at EVC.
Throughout the year, each JLYL fellow works on a capstone project that provides hands-on opportunities to engage their campus and local communities in human rights work. Fellows receive resources and support to ensure their success in the program, including training workshops, 1:1 mentorship from Kennedy Human Rights staff, financial support, and access to an extensive network of human rights professionals, peers, and program alumni.
Inspired by the legacies of Senator Robert and Ethel Kennedy, the Center works with international and domestic partners to protect fundamental human rights and hold governments accountable.
About Hadasa:
Your go-to fun fact
I sometimes rehearse what I’m going to say… and still say it differently in the moment.
Your “feel good” album
Pure- Abbie Gamboa
If you had to be any type of bird, what type of bird would you be?
Rivoli’s hummingbird
What motivates you to be a changemaker in your community?
I am motivated by the sacrifices and hard work of my parents and my community, and by seeing resilience show up in everyday life, even in difficult circumstances. I have witnessed how oppression can take many forms and affect people in ways that are often unspoken or overlooked. Because of this, I am driven to speak up rather than stay silent and to use what I learn from my experiences to help create more fairness and opportunity beyond my community, for all of us.
